A wearable blood pressure monitor has been developed in a ‘world first’ by a Scottish ultrasound pioneer.
Novosound has invented a wristwatch style device that allows patients to record their blood pressures in a way that is comparable to conventional electronic upper arm cuffs.
Built on Novosound’s Slanj platform, the technology follows the company’s previous collaboration at the Texas Medical Centre in Houston.
It is now poised to revolutionise blood pressure monitoring in wearables and could be deployed in smartwatches and smart rings.
Novosound has already demonstrated the system in real-world settings, including public spaces. The results, including accuracy data, were presented at the IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS) in Taipei in September, adding to the credibility of the system.
Dave Hughes, CEO and founder of Novosound, said: “Scotland has long been at the forefront of ultrasound innovation, and we are proud to continue this legacy. Monitoring blood pressure with ultrasound, and without the need for a cuff, marks a significant advancement in how we can address global health and wellness issues.”
Cardiovascular diseases continue to affect over half a billion people globally, with more than 20 million deaths in 2021, according to the World Heart Federation.
In addition to blood pressure monitoring, the Slanj platform extends to other applications including hydration tracking, muscle health assessment, and gesture recognition. Novsound will be showcasing these innovations at CES 2025, Las Vegas in January, reinforcing its position in the global wearable tech market.
Novosound recently completed a £2 million funding round, led by Par Equity with participation from Kelvin Capital, University of the West of Scotland, and Scottish Enterprise. This funding will accelerate the commercialisation of Novosound’s innovative ultrasound technology.
Paul Munn, managing partner, Par Equity, said: “With innovation at its core, we are pleased to continue our support for Dave and the team as the company accelerates internationalisation and global sales. We can see the traction the company is gaining with some of the world’s largest corporate brands, with considerable commercial opportunities ahead in digital health and industrial monitoring markets.”
